Boise, Idaho, March 14, 2013 –The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is looking to help farmers and ranchers improve the sage-grouse population in Idaho so that it will not need protection under the Endangered Species Act. The agency’s Sage-grouse Initiative (SGI) helps pay for putting specific conservation practices in place that will enhance habitat or reduce threats to bird survival.

“This initiative focuses on improving rangeland conditions which support both sustainable ranching and healthy sage-grouse populations,” said Jeff Burwell, Idaho NRCS State Conservationist. “It provides an extra incentive to landowners that want to restore habitat through specific conservation measures.”

“Restoring sage-grouse habitat can prove beneficial to rangeland conditions and sustainable ranching. Some of the practices used to improve sage-grouse habitat are the same practices required to maintain healthy grazing land for livestock,” said Burwell.

In the past three years, Idaho NRCS has obligated over $5 million to landowners to help a variety of rangeland improvement projects like the ones mentioned, as well as installing or removing fence, developing water sources, and developing prescribed grazing plans. An additional $16 million was obligated to acquire conservations easements to keep rangeland intact in key sage-grouse habitat areas.

Applications received before April 19, 2013 will be ranked for funding in fiscal year 2013.